Skip to main content Skip to search
The assessment of empathy in adolescence: A contribution to the Italian validation of the “Basic Empathy Scale”
Journal of Adolescence
Short Title: Journal of AdolescenceThe assessment of empathy in adolescence
Format: Journal Article
Publication Date: 2009/04/01/
Pages: 393 - 408
Sources ID: 72541
Visibility: Public (group default)
Abstract: (Show)
The present study examined the validity of the Basic Empathy Scale (BES) [Jolliffe, D., & Farrington, D. P. (2006a). Development and validation of the Basic Empathy Scale. Journal of Adolescence, 29, 589–611; Jolliffe, D., & Farrington, D. P. (2006b). Examining the relationship between low empathy and bullying. Aggressive Behavior, 32(6), 540–550.] and found further evidence for the scale's good psychometric properties. The BES was administered to a sample of 655 Italian adolescents to examine the generalizability and reliability of its factor structure. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis showed a reasonable data fit with the two hypothesized BES domains of Cognitive Empathy and Affective Empathy. Scale reliability was also satisfactory, showing good internal consistency. Lastly, BES scores were significantly associated with other empathy questionnaire scores (the Interpersonal Reactivity Index and Balanced Emotional Empathy Scale) and with a scale measuring prosocial behavior. Research and practice implications are discussed.